Create a Chinese Penwiper

Click on image to see more detail.

This Chinese penwiper was featured in The Dictionary of Needlework: An Encyclopedia of Artistic, Plain and Fancy Needlework. 1887, by S.F.A. Caulfeild and Blanche
C. Saward 1887. It has been edited for use on this site.

Chinese Pen-Wiper

The foundation is of wire, strengthened with cardboard, and covered with
scarlet cloth. Bright colored birds’ feathers are sewn to the cloth
foundation.

To make the Penwiper, cut out
a piece of scarlet cloth the size of the detailed picture. (Note: the
original published artwork was about 2 1/8 inches tall. You may wish to
alter the size to fit your need or decor.) Work it in OUTLINE STITCH as
shown in the Figure below.

Click on image to see more detail.

Cut out several flaps of black cloth, a bit
larger than the scarlet, and pink their edges. Sew them all to the
feather end of the Penwiper, and hang on tassels as a finish.